Ruskin & Morris: The Origins of the Arts & Crafts Movement in the 19th Century

Summary

The Arts and Crafts movement emerged as a reaction to the industrialization of the 19th century, emphasizing handcrafted work over machine-made goods. Influenced by John Ruskin's social criticism, the movement aimed to foster social and economic reform. Figures like William Morris played a pivotal role in reviving medieval craftsmanship and challenging Victorian capitalism. Ruskin's philosophy on the moral decline of society due to industrialization inspired the movement, while Morris later shifted toward socialism, influenced by Karl Marx. Together, they reshaped art, design, and the role of creativity in society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Arts and Crafts movement emerged as a reaction against the dominance of industrial machine production in the 19th century, advocating for the value of handcraftsmanship.
• 😀 The movement was influenced by John Ruskin's social criticism, which linked architecture and art to the spiritual health and moral character of society.
• 😀 Ruskin's work 'The Stones of Venice' argued that the decline of Venice's architecture reflected the city's cultural and spiritual decline from the medieval to the Renaissance period.
• 😀 Ruskin believed that industrialization and mass production created a form of 'cultural poverty' where workers were deprived of creativity and fulfillment, reflecting a moral decay in society.
• 😀 The Arts and Crafts movement sought to revive traditional trades and craftsmanship, promoting unique, handmade goods as a response to the soullessness of industrial mass production.
• 😀 Ruskin's influence extended to Mahatma Gandhi, who credited Ruskin's book 'Unto This Last' with transforming his life and worldview on economics and morality.
• 😀 William Morris, influenced by Ruskin, was a key figure in the movement and used his art to challenge Victorian industrial capitalism, promoting medieval ideals of community and craftsmanship.
• 😀 Morris's firm sought to combine beauty and skilled craftsmanship, aiming to produce goods that would inspire social change and break away from mass-produced industrial goods.
• 😀 Despite early commercial success, Morris grew disillusioned with his work's lack of social impact and eventually embraced socialism, influenced by Karl Marx's ideas on class struggle and societal change.
• 😀 Morris’s rejection of Ruskin's ideals in favor of Marxism marked a shift in his approach, as he moved from art to politics in his later years, focusing on advancing socialism.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the Arts and Crafts movement?

The main goal of the Arts and Crafts movement was to challenge the dominance of industrial machine production and emphasize the value of handcraftsmanship. The movement aimed to restore individual creativity and improve social and economic conditions through the preservation of traditional craftsmanship.

How did the Arts and Crafts movement influence mainstream culture by the end of the 19th century?

By the end of the 19th century, the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement had influenced mainstream culture, sparking a commercial trend among the upper-middle class for handmade goods. This led to the formation of over a hundred Arts and Crafts organizations in Britain between 1895 and 1905.

What role did John Ruskin play in shaping the Arts and Crafts movement?

John Ruskin’s social criticisms and views on art, particularly his belief that the decline of architecture reflected a society’s moral decay, played a significant role in shaping the Arts and Crafts movement. His advocacy for the return to handcrafted art and critique of industrialization inspired many of the movement’s core principles.

How did Ruskin’s visits to Venice influence his philosophical and artistic views?

Ruskin’s visits to Venice, especially his studies of Gothic architecture, influenced his philosophical views on the connection between art, religion, and society. He believed that the quality and style of architecture could reveal the moral and spiritual health of a civilization.

What was the central critique Ruskin had about industrial society?

Ruskin criticized industrial society for its exploitation of the working class and the dehumanization of labor. He believed that mass production stripped workers of their individuality and creativity, leading to cultural poverty. He argued that labor should be fulfilling and creative, not mechanical and monotonous.

What was the message of Ruskin’s book *Unto This Last*?

In *Unto This Last*, Ruskin argued for an economy based on cooperation, fairness, and morality rather than profit-driven competition. He emphasized the importance of a social conscience in economic practices, advocating for an economic system that would benefit society as a whole.

How did Mahatma Gandhi react to Ruskin’s *Unto This Last*?

Mahatma Gandhi was deeply influenced by *Unto This Last* after reading it in 1903. He found it transformative, and it prompted him to change his life’s course. Gandhi adopted many of Ruskin’s ideals, particularly the importance of moral and ethical considerations in society.

What role did William Morris play in the Arts and Crafts movement?

William Morris was a central figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, drawing heavily on the ideas of John Ruskin. He combined Ruskin’s critique of industrialization with his own romanticized view of medieval craftsmanship, leading him to establish a decorative arts company and create beautiful handmade products.

Why did William Morris become frustrated with the commercial success of his designs?

Morris became frustrated because his successful designs, especially among the wealthy elite, were not achieving his intended goal of social reform. He felt that he was merely catering to the luxury of the rich, which conflicted with his desire to inspire broader societal change.

How did Morris’s views shift from the Arts and Crafts movement to socialism?

By the 1870s, Morris grew increasingly disillusioned with the limitations of the Arts and Crafts movement within the capitalist system. Influenced by Marxist ideas, he shifted focus to socialism, believing that true social change could only come through political revolution and the class struggle, not through returning to medieval craft practices.